Gender Mainstreaming in Migration

Overview and challenges

Author: Ankica Tomic, PhD
Bosnia and Herzegovina Representative
to MARRI Regional Centre

Editor: Milica Trpevska, IOM Project Assistant

seconded to MARRI Regional Centre

Content Summary

This article explores the strong links between gender and migration issues, highlighting their
intersection at different stages of the migration cycle. It provides an overview of the distinct
gender-related risks and vulnerabilities faced by migrants at different points of their journey
and integration. Drawing on the lack of interdisciplinary research, the article proposes a
proactive approach to gender mainstreaming in migration with a view to assess and compare
the experiences of the two genders in migration-related processes and procedures.

At first glance, gender and migration are viewed as two separate topics with no connection between
them. However, these two topics are interlinked. In professional literature, different reports and
research describe migration as gendered phenomenon at all stages of the migration cycle-1 migration
is therefore not gender neutral. Both migration scholars and practitioners need to reiterate this fact,
with a view to recognise and explore the gender aspect in migration-related processes and
procedures. However, theory and practice often disagree, provided that little attention has been paid
to the gender aspects of migration in reality.

The gender concept is still associated with many prejudices and stereotypes. For example, many
perceive it as a phenomenon which is exclusively focused on women and „women's issues“. However,
that is not the case as gender applies to both men and women and is equally a male and female
issue.

This is particularly important for understanding the essence of gender mainstreaming which aims to
take in consideration the needs, priorities, expectations, experiences, knowledge, and skills of both
men and women when undertaking any activities from the planning phase to evaluation and
monitoring, so that both genders benefit equally. It is extremely important not only to be aware of this
approach, but also to apply it in every context.

The context of migration is highly gendered. Women and men move for different reasons and they
face different challenges, opportunities and have different and intersecting vulnerabilities.

Many of them are looking for new opportunities and a better life for themselves and their families.
Others are forced to leave their home due to conflicts and natural disasters.

In analysing the causes and consequences of migration, whether voluntary or forced, the gender
perspective plays a key role.

1
https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/G1910791.pdf
It is important to keep in mind that gender also affects the reasons for migrating, namely “who
migrates and to where, how people migrate and the networks they use, opportunities and resources
available at destinations”.2

To a large extent, risks, vulnerabilities and needs are also shaped by one’s gender, and often vary
drastically for different groups. The roles, expectations, relationships and power dynamics associated
with being a man, woman, boy or girl significantly affect all aspects of the migration process. Other
factors, including age and disabilities, also affect vulnerability and needs. 3

Men and women are exposed to different types of risk and vulnerability during the different stages of
migration. Due to their status in society and their sex, women and girls are particularly subjected to
discrimination and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Sexual violence4 is one of the most pervasive threats to women and girls using 'irregular' routes into
and through Europe – especially those without support or travelling alone. Women and girls are
exposed to different illegal and unethical practices such as female genital mutilation, forced early
marriage in the countries of origin, rape and other forms of sexual violence.

Many organisations report that women and children, in particular, are being forced into 'survival sex'
along migration routes. They are forced to provide sexual services with the aim to continue their
journey in order to ensure ‘smooth’ passage for themselves and their family to the final destinations or
to obtain necessary documentation or other assistance.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has identified refugees and migrants as the groups
most vulnerable to trafficking, with women and girls within these groups most at risk and most likely to
be taken for sexual exploitation.

Sexual harassment in transit camps and reception centres has been documented against female
refugees and migrants – by other migrants and by public officials or staff in reception and detention
centres. Women and girls alone or with children feel particularly threatened in transit areas and
camps, because of the lack of segregated sleeping and sanitary facilities. 5

Not much research is done on sexual and gender-based violence against men, i.e. little attention is
paid to it, although it also occurs in all phases of the migration cycle. It is still a taboo topic and even
men are not ready to talk about it, although they experience it in their country of origin as well as
during the journey to Europe, or upon arrival.

Men and boys are suffering sexual violence and trauma during armed conflicts, such as rape,
castration, and genital violence, including mutilation and electroshocks. Men and boys are also
exposed to other forms of violence like forced labour, enslavement, kidnapping, human trafficking and
smuggling, physical violence etc.

Sexual violence, including conflict-related sexual violence and sexual abuse within families, is a push
factor for some refugee and migrant men and boys to leave their home countries. They experience
sexual violence at borders and checkpoints, during random stops by armed groups, and while
kidnapped and imprisoned.6

In conclusion, many migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers - women and girls, as well as men and
boys - have been exposed to various forms of gender-based violence, in their country of origin as well
as during their migration journey to Europe and upon arrival at the final destination.

Therefore, it is important to analyse migration from a gendered perspective in order to assess the
experiences of women and girls compared to those of men and boys in displacement, reception,

2
https://www.iom.int/gender-and-migration
3
Ibid
4
https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/global_campaign/en/chap6.pdf
5
ttps://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document.html?reference=EPRS_BRI(2016)579072
6
https://s33660.pcdn.co/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Libya-Italy-Report-03-2019.pdf
asylum procedures and integration, to be sure that responses are in line with needs and meet human
rights standards, identify protection gaps and determine what can be done to remedy them.

The first step is to raise the level of awareness and knowledge on the gender perspective of migration
of all key actors. The next step is to link strategic, legal and operational documents that are relevant to
both topics. So far, little attention has been paid to the gender aspects of migration and these two
topics have been treated separately. It is necessary to link these topics together and mainstream
gender in all stages of the migration cycle if we want to manage migration flows effectively and
efficiently.

Migration Asylum, Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI) is a single

regional mechanism with core mandate to support the Western
Balkans region in migration management. It is owned by six
Participants: Albania, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo which proudly govern the Initiative
following the all-inclusiveness principle.

The MARRI Regional Centre and Secretariat of the Initiative is based

in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Web: marri-rc.org.mk
Email: info@marri-rc.org.mk


This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion
on the Kosovo declaration of independence